President Milanović Participates in United Nations Food Systems Summit
The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović participated in the United Nations Food Systems Virtual Summit, held under the chairmanship of UN Secretary-General António Guterres during the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The United Nations Foods Systems Summit is setting the stage for global food systems transformation to accelerate recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
The following is the full transcript of the address delivered by President Milanović at the United Nations Foods Systems Summit:
“Dear Secretary General of the United Nations,
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a special honour to speak on behalf of the Republic of Croatia at this highly important summit that is devoted to food systems.
I would like to thank all organizations and individuals who made efforts in recent months in bringing positive ideas and changes therein.
We are increasingly witnessing a need for healthier, more sustainable and fairer food systems. Croatia supports such actions and intentions aimed at the achievement of the sustainable development goals.
Agriculture plays a major role in activities connected with climate and the environment. The question of food security remains our most important goal, as it was particularly highlighted in the circumstances of the ongoing COVID crisis.
In Croatia, we are witnessing positive effects through the interaction of agriculture with the climate and the environment as a result of measures undertaken to protect our natural resources. However, in order to achieve more ambitious climate objectives, new investments are needed, which agriculture cannot ensure by itself.
The questions we have to face, on the one hand, are how can we achieve sufficient food production and, on the other hand, how can we satisfy the public expectations regarding environment, climate change or animal welfare?
Change towards achieving sustainable and resilient food systems must be based on a holistic approach and supported by research and innovation.
I believe that the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Committee on World Food Security can make a significant contribution in achieving the sustainable development goals through transfer of knowledge and by cooperation within the international community.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Sustainable food systems begin by developing best agricultural practices, improving food distribution systems and reducing food waste.
Among many challenges, I will highlight four in which Croatia is particularly active in providing solutions: development of organic production, food quality issues and reducing of food waste.
Also, we support the full implementation of the “One Health Approach”, since the health of humans, animals, plants and their shared environments are inextricably intertwined.
Finally, I think that it is necessary to intensify cooperation on all these issues. Croatia is ready to transfer the acquired knowledge and experience to others in solving the challenges posed to the agricultural sector by increasing globalization in all areas of the human experience.
Thank you for your attention!”